Towable sub-aqua device

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed an improved sub-aqua device suitable for towing a person through the water. Specifically there is disclosed a sub-aqua device including: a means for towing the device; a pair of manoeuvring means for manoeuvring the device; and a means for controlling each manoeuvring means, wherein the means for towing the device comprises an axle connecting the pair of manoeuvring means, each means for controlling comprising a respective first and second tubular structure coaxial with the axle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Towable sub-aqua devices are known for both leisure and professional purposes. Such devices generally have various disadvantages associated therewith. For example such devices are either complex and/or expensive to manufacture, difficult and/or cumbersome to transport and store, or complicated to use. Examples of such known devices are described below.

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,777 discloses an aqua sled for carrying people on and under water comprises a frame of aluminum tubing having a rigid planar section of transparent material to enable users to see beneath the sled and buoyant material affixed thereto to float the sled. A pair of sheets of rigid transparent material are affixed to the front of the frame and form a dihedral of approximately 90° with each other. Each of the sheets extends at an angle of approximately 45° with a corresponding side of the planar section of transparent material. A control device is affixed to the frame and is manually controllable to control the movement of the sled.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,149,483 discloses a device to be towed through the water by a boat and which in turn is adapted to tow a person through the water, the body of the device having a constant buoyancy and being equipped with steering means whereby it can be maintained on the surface of the water while being towed, can be submerged while towing a person with scuba gear, and which can be maneuvered under water to partially or completely roll the device and its user.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,829 discloses a towable, swimmer-controlled, aquatic plane device that includes an elongated wing element having sections symmetrical about a transverse center line and a fin element also having sections symmetrical about a transverse center line, the fin element being removably attached at its transverse center line to the wing element at its transverse center line with the fin element sections extending vertically above and below the wing element. Openings are provided in each fin element section adjacent its leading edge and adjacent the wing element for attaching a tow rope. Openings are provided in each fin element adjacent its trailing edge which form hand grip portions by which a swimmer can steer the device in any one or more of four directions, i.e., down for diving, up to plane on the surface of the water, or banking for turning left or right.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,090 discloses an underwater diving plane that has a main frame forming an isosceles triangle, having a base part, two side legs of equal length and an apex; a detachable transverse axle which is pivotally connected to the main frame, having two ends and two main planes each fixedly attached to the axle; a fore plane attached to the frame proximal to the apex; and a tow force transition cable to allow the planes stable planning action.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,939 discloses a rudder comprised of a planar body wherein a large front notch and a rear notch form two lobes or side wings which are perfectly symmetric with respect to the front-to-rear axis. On the axis and at the vicinity of the front notch is provided the unique point of towing, variable through a movable part, to which is fixed the corresponding towing rope. On each side wing, there are arranged, symmetrically and forward of the towing point, two windows that the user can grip with his or her hands and, behind the windows, in the lower part of the device and also in a symmetrical arrangement there are provided two rudder-like fins. The apparatus can be gripped manually with the arms extended forward allowing a swimmer-diver to move on the water or in the water.

[0007] All of these known devices have various ones or all of the known disadvantages such as requiring a structure to support the users body.

[0008] It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved sub-aqua device, suitable for towing a person through the water. In particular it is an aim of the present invention to provide a sub-aqua device in which manoeuvrability is improved over known prior art devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention provides a device that is simple and inexpensive to manufactured. In particular the device is easy to use. The device is of a relatively small size, and easily transportable and readily stored. As such the relatively inexpensive cost of the device and its ease of use results in an increased activity of sub-aqua exploration, particularly in relation to leisure activity.

[0010] The structure of the plane mechanism of the device, provides significantly improved stability and manoeuvrability over previously known devices. The independent nature of the two parts of the plane mechanism,, provides increased manoeuvrability of the device without any increase in the complexity of the device.

[0011] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a sub-aqua device including: a means for towing the device; a pair of planes for manoeuvring the device, each defining a depth plane; and a means for controlling each plane means including a handle, with each handle extending in a plane coincident with the respective manoeuvring plane.

[0012] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a sub-aqua device including: a bar for towing the device; a pair of plane members for manoeuvring the device, each defining a manoeuvring plane; and a manoeuvring plane rod for controlling each plane member including a handle, each handle extending in a plane coincident with the respective manoeuvring plane.

[0013] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a sub-aqua device including: a means for towing the device; a pair of manoeuvring plane means for manoeuvring the device; and a means for controlling each manoeuvring plane means, wherein the means for towing the device comprises a bar extending between the respective manoeuvring plane means.

[0014] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a sub-aqua device including: a bar for towing the device; a pair of manoeuvring plane members for manoeuvring the device; and a rod for controlling each manoeuvring plane member, wherein the bar for towing the device extends between the respective manoeuvring plane means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0015] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 illustrates a first illustrative cross-section through A-A of FIG. 1; and

[0018]FIG. 3 illustrates a second illustrative cross-section through A-A of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a support ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a top down view of the aqua device 100 according to the invention. The aqua device 100 includes a port plane 4 and a starboard plane 6 that are joined together by a connecting axle 2. The port plane 4 and the starboard plane 6 are water foils that have the shape of a wing or other simular articles. In the disclosed embodiment the devices may be made of rubber coated styrophone, wood, or metal. Each plane is connected to the connecting axle 2 while the port plane 4 being connected to the port control rod 8 and the starboard plane 6 being connected to the starboard control rod 10. The control rods 8 and 10 are tightly inserted through the respective planes 4 and 6 while the connecting axle 2 is sized so that the plane can rotate when the user turns the grips 20 and 22. Both are prevented from becoming disengaged through the use of end caps 52. There is a ring 25 that surrounds the connecting axle 2 to provide ease of movement. The ring 25 includes a tow hook 24 to which a tow rope 50 may be connected. Obviously, in normal operation the tow rope 50 is connected to a device such as a boat, or ski craft or even a submergible compressed gas or electric powered diver towing device.

[0021] In operation, the user with his left hand grab the starboard grip 20 and with his right hand grab the port grip 22 and by his wrist control manoeuver the port plane 4 and the starboard plane 6 because the control rods are not connected, the plane may be moved independently.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, which is a view from section lines A-A, the port plane 4 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 41 around the connecting axle 2 and is supported by the control rod 8. The leading edge 30 cuts through the water and it has a smooth hydrodynamic design tail 32. Similarly, referring to FIG. 3 there is shown the port plane 4 in a dive position as indicated by the rotation around the connecting axle 2 as indicated by the arrow 42. In both cases the centre axis 40 shows the rotation around the connecting axle 2.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a side view of the ring 25 and it has an opening 46 through which the control rod is placed through. There is no placement through for the port control rod 8 nor the starboard control rod 10. The opening 46 is size such that the connecting axle 2 can easily rotate.

[0024] Both control rods 8 and 10 are tightly held in place with their respective grips 20 and 22. Each hand grip has a clearance hole so that the connecting axel 2 can pass through.

[0025] The scope of protection of this invention is defined in the appendix claims. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications to the invention as described herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sub-aqua device including: a means for towing the device; a pair of manoeuvring means for manoeuvring the device; and a means for controlling each manoeuvring means, wherein the means for towing the device comprises an axle connecting the pair of manoeuvring means, each means for controlling comprising a respective first and second tubular structure coaxial with the axis.
 2. The sub-aqua device according to claim 1 wherein the axle extends through the pair of manoeuvring means.
 3. The sub-aqua device according to claim 2 wherein the respective first and second tubular structures extend through the respective manoeuvring means.
 4. The sub-aqua device according to claim 3, wherein the axle is provided with a stop at each distal end.
 5. The sub-aqua device according to claim 4, wherein each stop secures a respective one of the first and second tubular structures in place.
 6. The sub-aqua device according to claim 5, wherein the axle is provided with a divider at the centre thereof, wherein the divider separates the first and second tubular structure.
 7. The sub-aqua device according to claim 6, wherein the divider includes a tow hook.
 8. The sub-aqua device according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second tubular structures rotate about the axle.
 9. The sub-aqua device according to claim 8 wherein the respective manoeuvring means are afixed to the respective first and second tubular structures, such that the respective manoeuvring means rotate with the first and second tubular structures.
 10. The sub-aqua device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second tubular structures are provided with respective first and second gripping handles.
 11. A sub-aqua device including: an axle for towing the device; a pair of manoeuvring planes for manoeuvring the device; and a pair of tubular structures for controlling each manoeuvring means, wherein the axle connects the pair of manoeuvring means, each tubular structure being coaxial with the axle. 